Saraki visits Akwa Ibom, expresses solidarity with Governor Emmanuel

Related News

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, visited Akwa Ibom on Friday to show solidarity with the state governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Mr Saraki was accompanied by other senators, including Bassey Albert who is from the state, Dino Melaye, Biodun Olujimi, Phillip Aduda, Clifford Ordia, and Isa Misau.

Political tension heightened in the state since the defection of a senator, Godswill Akpabio, from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a few days ago.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, resigned his position as the Senate minority leader before his defection.

In a subsequent media interaction, Mr Akpabio had linked his defection to the ‘lack of an internal reward system in the PDP’ ostensibly referring to a recent decision by the PDP to make Mr Saraki its national leader, in the wake of his defection to the party.

Considered as one of the most influential politicians in the Akwa Ibom and Nigeria’s South-south region, Mr Akpabio’s defection is also seen by many as a threat to Governor Emmanuel’s ambition for re-election.

Several politicians and groups have been paying solidarity visits to the governor, in apparent effort to ward off such a political threat.

A number of solidarity rallies have also been organised in the state to mobilise support for the governor.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Udoh, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Saraki’s visit to the state was to show solidarity with Governor Emmanuel.

Mr Udoh said the Senate president addressed the PDP leaders in the state, including members of the House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly.

“He (Mr Saraki) is leading a delegation of some senators to show solidarity with the governor.

“He told the governor that he has the full support of his office and his colleagues in the National Assembly,” the commissioner said.

“It’s great to be back in Akwa Ibom!” Mr Saraki tweeted in the afternoon, through his personal Twitter handle @bukolasaraki.

The governor reportedly thanked the Senate president for finding it worthy to pay a solidarity visit to the state.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Cletus Ukpong is PREMIUM TIMES’ assistant editor in charge of Nigeria’s South-South region. He is a graduate of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Twitter: @CletusUkpong

NEVER MISS A THING AGAIN! Subscribe to our newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP

Now available on

TEXT AD: New Discovery! Click Here To See A Miracle Device That Can Cure DIABETES, BLOOD PRESSURE, STROKE, ARTHRITIS, PAINS, OBESITY And 50 Other CHRONIC DISEASES Without Drugs Or Herbs.. Click Here Now To See It

All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES.